Description
This Simple Moist Chocolate Walnut Cake is a rich and tender dessert perfect for any occasion. Combining the intense flavor of cocoa with crunchy walnuts, this cake is easy to make with common pantry ingredients and bakes to a soft, moist texture that melts in your mouth.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup hot water
Add-ins
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan to ensure the cake does not stick during baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and cocoa.
- Add Wet Ingredients: To the dry mixture, add vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix well until all ingredients form a cohesive batter.
- Incorporate Buttermilk: Gradually pour in the buttermilk while mixing continuously to create a smooth and silky batter.
- Mix in Hot Water: Stir in the hot water carefully until the batter is thin and smooth, which helps keep the cake moist and tender.
- Add Walnuts: Fold in the chopped walnuts evenly throughout the batter, if using, for added texture and flavor.
- Pour Batter: Transfer the prepared batter into the greased and floured cake pan, smoothing the top.
- Bake: Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes to set. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve: Serve the cake plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or topped with your favorite frosting for extra indulgence.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, you can substitute vegetable oil with melted butter.
- If you don’t have buttermilk, use 1 cup of milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar and let sit for 5 minutes.
- Walnuts can be toasted before adding to enhance their flavor.
- Make sure not to overmix the batter once wet ingredients are added to avoid a dense cake.
- Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
